Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Burlingame

Home stagers always have their eye on current trends, being prepared to stage a home with today's buyer in mind. Naturally, we turn to these staging professionals to offer up ideas for prepping your property for sale. As always, I'm here to help when it comes time to sell. I would be happy to share a host of practical, easy tweaks you can make that optimize a positive first impression! (650) 619-2790 #betterhomesandgardensrealestate #realestateburlingame #debbiewong DRE #01074881

If the prospect of building a full-scale attached deck feels daunting, consider an easier alternative. Do you know about detached decks? Whether you place the deck by a water feature, within the garden, far from the house, or near the house, a detached deck helps create a world all its own. (650) 619-2790 #betterhomesandgardensrealestate #realestateburlingame #debbiewong DRE #01074881

Even in our climate, when the evenings get colder, you may be use a fireplace for warmth and comfort. Quick tip: Never close your damper with hot ashes still in the fireplace. The damper sends smoke out through your chimney, and the open damper is what actually prevents carbon monoxide from becoming trapped in your home. Other quick tips here. Snuggle on! (650) 619-2790 #betterhomesandgardensrealestate #realestateburlingame #debbiewong DRE #01074881

You may be on track so far. But two weeks before moving day can often feel like the most stressful period when it feels like there will never be enough time to finish everything. Here is a list of last minute errands and small tasks (return library books, transfer prescriptions, DMV changes) to help keep you on track for a successful moving day! (650) 619-2790 #betterhomesandgardensrealestate #realestateburlingame #debbiewong DRE #01074881

Yes, it's a hot market. But be sure to realistically budget for, these projects in particular! Today's hot market means some buyers are purchasing a house that needs work, and waiving inspection contingencies. Others are avoiding repair requests, opting to handle home repairs, fixes and upgrades as needed later on. #betterhomesandgardensrealestate... #realestateburlingame #debbiewong DRE #01074881 See more

The new kid on the block is the Zoom room! It's become increasingly common to see Zoom rooms in listings as part of a home’s features. They are free of household clutter and typically removed from the high-traffic parts of the house. And experts predict the dedicated video room trend is likely to persist for buyers beyond COVID-19. Do you have a Zoom room in your house?... https://bit.ly/3k0fX6l

National Association of Realtors chief economist predicts 2020's housing momentum will carry into 2021. If you're considering selling, let's start this year off right! Let's discuss your home's value, and how to position your home in this particular market. (650) 619-2790 #betterhomesandgardensrealestate #realestateburlingame #debbiewong... DRE #01074881 See more

November is the spring cleaning of fall, so to speak. Put on some calming music, light a fall-scented candle, pour an herbal tea for breaks, and make this month a easily productive one each year. https://bit.ly/2GpVCK3... #betterhomesandgardensrealestate

While 2020 looks a little different at the moment for the kiddos, schools continue to be an important factor in deciding where to grow roots. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, more than half of homebuyers with children under 18 cited the school district as an influencing factor in where they chose to buy. However, quality schools tend to come with a price tag. https://www.msn.com//is-buying-a-home-in-a-be/ar-BB1aB4L6... #betterhomesandgardensrealestate #burlingamehomes

Trader Joe's is one of our favorite shops in San Mateo and throughout the Bay Area. We love their specialty items, their attitude and culture, and their recipes. As we get closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas we are sure to see some amazing food suggestions come out of this gem. So good! #traderjoes... #nutsfortraderjoes #walnuts #HolidayRecipes #goodfoods #SanMateo #shoplocal #supportlocalbusiness #gonuts! See more

The cold weather is around the corner. That means energy bills. But you can lower your heating costs considerably with some simple steps you can do yourself! lay down door snakes caulk around vents and dryer pipe hang heavy curtains on windows... add sleeves to water heater pipes wrap water heater in an insulated blanket See more

Settling into a new home soon? A few of the first things to do that will help make your transition much smoother: Change the locks Check for leaks Steam clean carpets... Wipe out cabinets Invest in pest control Locate circuit breaker and water main valve #betterhomesandgardensrealestate #burlingamehomes #sanmateocalifornia #californiarealestate

There’s no place like home. The phrase has always been true, but especially in the last six months. What used to be a place to return to after a long day now serves multiple purposes to people all day, every day. The home is now an office, school, restaurant, gym, playroom and more. Here are four ways home design has changed because of COVID-19:... Focus On Cleanliness And Health New Colors And Quality Multi-Use Spaces Prioritized Outdoor Space What changes have you made this year in your home to adapt?

A well-maintained front yard can boost the value of your property by as much as 12%, which can translate to tens of thousands of dollars. Some ideas to inspire you! Tackle quick fixes Refresh your borders Add flowers around standalone trees... create paths display planters #sanmateoplanters #curbappealforyourhome #betterhomesandgardensrealestate #burlingamecahomes #motivatedonmondays

A little Friday inspiration from the great Dr. Chris Colgin, wellness expert here in San Mateo. He knows a thing or two about feeling better! Check him out, he has much more wisdom where this came from. Start drinking water every day and enjoy all of the rewards! #drinkwater... #feelbetter #supportlocalbusiness #learnaboutfunctionalmedicine #SanMateo See more

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, mudslides, and wildfires can happen almost anywhere. If a natural disaster is looming and evacuation becomes possible, every household should have an emergency "go bag" ready for each family member. There are considerations in this article that you may not have considered. A few minutes of planning now can make a tremendous difference later. https://www.thespruce.com/emergency-go-bag-4165380

Before and After images can be amazing! However, purchasing a fixer-upper comes with quite a few pros and cons all of which are worth considering before sinking money into a home. Ultimately, the decision over whether or not to buy a fixer-upper will come down to your needs, abilities and resources. Here are seven important questions to ask yourself prior to buying a fixer-upper.... https://www.moving.com/tips/should-you-buy-a-fixer-upper/

It's finally yours. Your very own home. You can paint the walls whatever you like. Heck, even knock out a wall! There's no landlord to fight you. But if you're serious about developing good homeowner habits (so your home makes you richer, not poorer), you'll use this worksheet the minute you close on your home if not before!

Perking up your morning might be as simple as getting a dose of natural light. Try opening the shades, eating breakfast outside, watering your vegetable garden, or taking a walk. Light is like a cup of coffee. It has an acute alerting effect." Plus, being out in nature, even for five minutes, can give you a happiness high, according to a 2018 study in the Journal of Positive Psychology. Can’t get outside in the morning? Change the light in your indoor space to brighten thing...s up, move your computer closer to a window, or paint your walls a more vivid color. You're on your way to a wonderful week! https://www.realsimple.com//life-strategies/morning-routine #debbiewong #debbiewongrealtor #betterhomesandgardensburlingame #burlingamehomes #sanmateorealtor #sanbrunorealtor #southsanfranciscorealtor

Selling your home in a hot market without an agent is incredibly tempting! This week Inman News, an authority on all things residential real estate, re-explored the idea with specific consideration to the market today. Once again, they determined that sellers are far better off working with an agent. Here are some of the reason why: Failure to Prepare Property - If a home isn’t appealing to buyers, homesellers are wasting everyone’s time. This doesn’t just mean making sure ...everything is tidy; the condition of the house needs to be excellent. Bad pricing - Overpricing is a common mistake FSBOs make and a significant reason why so many fail! Limited marketing - There are quite a few powerful online marketing channels, including the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) that won’t let FSBO homes be listed. As an agent, I can market the property far wider than an independent seller could ever hope to. Negotiating price and contract terms - It isn’t just about negotiating on the price; the contract needs to be paid careful attention to as well if the sale is going to close successfully. There are more, but bottom line, if you're thinking about selling your home. Don't go it alone. Call me!